Carton forming machine



Dec. 5, 1944. J. G. VERGOBB. 2,364,406

CARTON FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet l 44) 36 46x .16 .f 42 sa P -1 n) LQ I 46 n um) 75 l .l 76 l 1o 80 vll/4 I 5E: /305 40 76| 46 II 'f .f' J -\G. i .4444A H 32 l? i r L r. 76 .1?0/ 5 55 2; 5?

l E .96A jg.|:,- 10 lo I Il 50 .50 (l \L I 54| 65 F1 .2 4 64 66 66 [l 14 INVENTOR Dec. 5, 1944. G,`VERGOBB| 2,364,406

CARTON FORMING MACHINE Filed Jan. 26, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. unyfHo.

DeC- 5, 1944 J. G; vERGoBBl 2,364,406

f CARTON FORMING MACHINE 4 Filed Jan. 26, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I I 2 E l 116 64 46 117 g .42 /36 11:7

| I 119 l l l QE- 1 f 90 "f' *Y 65 Z13 115 46 11o 10 3io? 10o 2o 22 109 INVENTOR .16 10 i6 aen-L., 6', uur

,Patented Dec. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CARTON FORMING MACHINEy John G, Vergobbi,` Quincy, Mass., assignor to Pneumatic Scale. Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application January 26, 1942, Serial No. 428,183

9 Claims.

This invention relates to` a carton forming machine and particularly to a machine ior making a lined carton,

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved carton forming machine of the type embodying oneor more forming blocks around which the carton and liner are formed wherein provision is made for pressing the side seams of the liner and carton in a novel and improved manner whereby to eliminate diiculties formerly encountered.

A further object of -the invention is to provide a novel and improved carton forming machine of the character specified having novel folding and side seam pressing mechanism particularly adapted for efficientlyhandling relatively thin carton and lining forming materials, both of which have a tendencyy to curl when adhesive is applied thereto.

With these general objects in view, and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the carton forming machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at` the endof this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred em-. bodiment of the invention, Fig. 1 isa planview of a sufcient portion of a carton forming machine embodying the present invention to enable it to be understood; Fig. is a side elevation oi the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is an en-l larged detail View, partly in cross-section, of the side seam pressing mechanism shown in operative position for applying pressure to the side seam of the outer carton or blank; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional'view taken on the line ll--li` of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the different positions assumed by the pressing mechanism at the various stations of operation; Fig. 6 isa view similar to Fig. 3 showing the pressing mechanism in operative position for applying pressure to the side seam of the inner blank or lining; and Fig. 7 is a cross-section taken on the line 1--1 of Fig. 6 also showing the folding plates for folding the extended portions of the blank into sealing engagement across the top of the forming: block.

The present invention is shown. as embodied in a carton forming machine adapted to form a 50,

composite liner and carton about a forming block and which may comprise a machine of the general type illustrated and described in the United States patent to Hessel', No. 1,020,821, March vtion to another.

are provided with a'plurality of forming blocks arranged to be intermittently moved to present the forming blocks successively to the various lining and carton forming stations of the machine.

In the4 operation of such prior machines a lining blank is rst folded about a forming block to form a tube, the overlapping portions of the blank being secured together to form a side seam for the inner liner. At a succeeding station of operation, portions of the lining blank extending beyond the end of the forming block are folded over the blank to form the bottom of the liner. At subsequent stations, the outer blank or carton is wrapped about the lining and block in a sim-ilar manner whereupon the composite liner and carton is stripped from the forming block ready to be lled and top sealed.

During the formation of the liner andy carton blanks about the block a presser foot or pad is arranged to engage the overlapping side seam portions to retain the blank in assembled relation while being moved with the block from one sta- When such overlapping por'- tions are provided with adhesive, the presser pad serves to firmly set the seam. When the material employed for the inner liner comprises a paraiiin coated or impregnated paper, the forming blocks are preferably heated so that upon pressure of the overlapping portions of the blank a heat sealed side seam is produced.

In the priorcarton forming machines it has been the practice to use the same presser pad for pressing both the lining side seam and ther outer carton side seam. Thus, in the event that the presser pad becomes soiled with adhesive or softened paraffin during the pressing of the lin-y ing side seam, such accumulated material is transferred to the outer carton during a subsequent pressing operation causing an unsightly carton and detracting from the commercial value of the machine. Likewise, if a substantial amount of adhesive has accumulated upon the presser pad at one station, such pad would bel likely to adhere, to a succeeding blank so that when the pad is raised, the side seam is pulled apart.

In accordanceV with one feature of the present invention a dual presser pad mechanism is provided for each forming block, and provision is made for moving the mechanism from one position operative to engage the lining side seam, to a position in which a different face is presented for pressing engagement with the outer carton 19, 1912. Such prior carton forming machines sideseam. In this manner transference of material from the pad for the inner lining to the outer carton is entirely eliminated so that a clean and unsoiled carton is produced.

Another feature of the present invention is directed to the handling of very thin and exible lining materials such as have a tendency to curl up when adhesive is applied to one side due to the eect of the moisture in the adhesive. It was found in practice that when such materials were employed for the inner lining, the overlapping portions of the side seam tended to curl after the usual folding members were withdrawn and before the presser pad engaged the seam to perform the pressing operation. As a result, when the presser pad was lowered, it oftentimes engaged the exposed seam causing an imperfect seal and transferring adhesive to the presser pad. In accordance with the present invention provision is made for permitting the presser pad to engage portions of the side seam before the folding member is withdrawn so as to retain the overlapping portions in assembled relation While the folding member is being withdrawn, and, to rmly press the seam until the adhesive is set.

Referring now to the drawings, I represents the forming blocks secured to a spider I2 mounted upon a central shaft I4 arranged to be intermittently rotated to present the forming blocks to successive stations in the formation of a composite liner and carton. Inasmuch as machines of this type which are provided with mechanisms for wrapping iirst the liner about a forming block and subsequently the outer wrapper or carton thereabout, are well known in the packaging art, only suilcient portions of the machine have been herein illustrated and will be hereinafter described as will enable the present invention to be understood.

In the operation of the carton forming machine a lining blank I6 is wrapped about a block I6 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 7, so as t0 form overlapping portions I3, to be secured together to form a side seam either by adhesive which has been previously applied to the overlapping portions, or by heat sealing as above described. The forming blocks I0 may and preferably will be electrically heated through a circuit including the heating elements 22 disposed in the blocks, as shown.

As herein illustrated, each forming block I0 is provided with an individual dual seam pressing mechanism, indicated generally at 30, which is provided with two presser pads 32, 34. The pressing mechanism is arranged to be lowered to present one pad 32 into pressing engagement with the lining seam during one period of operation, and to be thereafter raised and shifted to present the second pad 34 into operative position to be lowered into pressing engagement with the side seam of the outer Wrapper or carton during a subsequent period of operation.

Each dual seam pressing unit comprises a rockingly mounted supporting arm 36 fast on a shaft 38 pivotally mounted in a turret 40 attached to the intermittently movable spider I2 so that each unit is moved along with its individual, forming block I0 during the operation of the machine. The outer end of the supporting arm 36 carries a bearing member 42 pivotally mounted on a pin 44 to permit the dual presser head 46 tc maintain a Substantially horizontal position when the arm 36 is rocked to raise and lower the presser head. The bearing member 42 supports a .pin 48 upon which the dual Ipresser head 46 is pivotally mounted to permit the latter to be rocked laterally to present either 'one or the other of the presser pads 32 or 34 into operative ppsition to perform the pressing operation. The rp'resser pads 32, 34 may and preferably will comprise strips of hard felt attached to the presser head 46 as shown.

Each pressing unit 30 is urged into pressing engagement with its forming block I0 by a spring 50 extending between an arm 5.2 fast on the shaft 38 and a collar 54 mounted on the central shaft I4 and supported on top of a bearing member 56, as shown, so that in operation, the collar 54 rotates with the several pressing units as .they are intermittently moved. A set screw 58 depending from the underside of the arm 36 is arranged to engage the top of a hardened stud 60 secured in a spider anm in order to. adjustably limit the pressure applied to the seams.

Provision is made for rockingthe pressing unit upwardly when it arrives at the lining forming station I to permit the lining to be wrapped about the block whereupon the unit is lowered into pressing engagement with the side seam. As herein shown, the raising and lowering mechanism includes a cam operated arm 62 provided with a roller 64 arranged to engage the lower end 65 of the arm 52. The cam operated arm 62 is mounted fast urpon a rocker shaft 66 arranged to be rocked through connections including a cam lever 68 cooperating with a cam, not shown.

`A similar cam operated lever 62 is provided at the outer wrapper forming station III as illustrated in Fig. 2.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the pressing head units are raised and lowered each time they arrive at either the lining station I or at the carton station III, and, as herein shown, provision vis made at such stations for shifting the dual pressing head from one position of operation to another for the purpose above described. Each Ipressing head 46 is provided with a pair of arms "I2, 'I4 which carry rollers 16, 18 one of which is arranged to engage a stationary roller when the units are rocked upwardly. A stationary roller 80 is provided at each station I and III, being supported in U- shaped brackets 82 attached to a portion of the machine frame. In operation, when a roller 16, 'I8 engages the stationary roller 80, the pressing head is rocked laterally on its Ipivot pin 48, and, as herein shown, the pressing head is maintained in the position into which it is rocked by a coil spring 84 extending between the pressing head 46 and an extended portion 86 of the bearing member 42. The spring 84 is arranged with respect to the pivotal point 48 of the presser head so that it passes through the dead center position in either direction of movement'with the result that the presser head is yeldingly retained in the position into which it has been thus moved on either side of the dead center position. Adjustable stop screws 88, are provided in the bearing member 42 in order to limit the lateral rocking movement of the presser head and to assure parallel disposition of the face of either presser pad with the top of the forming block..

As above stated, the bearing member 42 is pivotally carried on the arm 36 to permit the pressing head 46 to maintain a'substantially horizontal position when the arm 36 is rocked upwardly. 'I'he center of gravity of the pressing head 46 with respect to the pivotal point 44 is such that the head will remain substantially horizontal during such movement. However, when the head is rocked upwardly into engagement with the shifting roll 80 as' above described, a horizontally extended portion 95 of the bearing member 42k engages a set screw 9B fixed in the` arm 36 inA V order to prevent rocking on the pivot 44' during` the shifting operation. A stop arm 03 extending from the arm 30 is also provided to prevent inadvertent tipping of the unit in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 3, when it is being moved into its lowered position.

Referring now to Fig. 1, and, as diagrammatically illustrated in liig. 5, in the operation of the device as thus far described, the face 32 of thepresser pad is rocked into operative position to press the lining seam at station I, and when the liner is formed upon the block, the pressing unit is lowered into engagement with the seam. The forming block is then intermittently moved to station II where the extended end portions I'I of the liner are folded over to' form the bottom of the lining bag while the pressing unit remains in engagement with the seam. The bloclris then moved tothe outer.

wrapper applying station III where the pressing unit is rocked upwardly and into engagement with the shifting roll 80 to present thepresser pad 34 into operative position to press the outer ment with the wrapper side seam and the blockA moved to station IV where provision is made for folding the bottom of the carton. Station V may comprise `the discharge station where provision may be made 'for raising the pressing unit while thcornposite carton is `stripped from the block. Stations VI, VII and VIII lmay comprise idle stations, the pressing unit still remainingy with its presser pad 34 in pressure applying position, although, no carton being on the block, the set screw 58 prevents actual pressing contact with the block. Thereafter, when the forming block again arrives at station I, it is rocked upwardly into engagement with `the shifting ro'ller 80 provided at this station to again present the pad 32 into operative pressing position for the liner seam pressing operation as above described.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7, as therein shown, curved folding plates |00, |02 carried by.

rocking arms |04, |06 are preferably employed for folding the extended portions of the lining blank into overlapping relation on top of the forming block to form the seam. The arms |04, IIl` are fast upon rocker shafts |05, |01 which may be operated in timed relation to the operation of the machine to first fold down the underlying portion I8 and then the overlying portion 20. Prior to the present invention, when such folding plates were withdrawn the frictional engagement of the fplates would be likely to draw back the folded portions slightly so as to cause distortion of the corner portions |09, |I| of the lining. In order to overcome this difficulty, as herein shown, each folding plate |00, |02 is provided with corner engaging members I2, II4 formed on the end of curved slide members |08, |I slidably mounted in guides |I3, |I5 attached to the folding plates. The corner engaging portions II2, II4 are arranged to engage and retain the lin-er in tight engagement with the corners of the block during the folding operation. As herein shown, springs IIIi, ||8 connected to the folding plates and the slide members urge the latter into an extended position with relation to the folding plates, being limited by the engagement of the stop bar 'f I'|"I with the end |I9`of a folding plate. engaging members IIZ, I I4 are first brought into engagement with the block to hold the lining firmly in place during the folding operation, and remain in such engagement until the folding plates are withdrawn so that the corners of the;

lining are not affected by theV movement of the folding plates during withdrawal.

In the operation of the folding plates, the plate |00 first folds down the underlying portion I8 whereupon the plate |00 is retracted slightly while the plate |02 operates to fold down the overlying portion 20 of the seam. In prior machines both folding members |00, |02 were arranged to be retracted before the.presser pad was brought down into pressing engagement with the side seam. However, as above stated, difficulty was encountered when lining materials subject to curling upon the application of adhesive wereemployed so that the seam might be partially exposed before the presser pad was brought into pressing engagement therewith. In accordance with the present invention, provision is made for permitting the lining presser pad 32 to engage the side seam before the folding plate |02 is withdrawn. As herein shown, the presser pad 32 is provided with a plurality of raised portions |20 arranged to be received in openings |22 in the folding plate |02 so as to permit the pad to engage portions of the seam While the folding plate |02 is still in folding engagement therewith, as illustrated in Fig. '7. Thus, the seam is firmly held in its folded position during the retraction of thefolding yplates to prevent opening of the seam caused byv curling and also to prevent distortion of the folded portions due to frictional'engageanent of the plates with the top of the liner during such withdrawing Imovement.

In the operation of the machine, the presser pad 32 remains in engagement with the seam during subsequent movement of the block so as to firmly set the seal before the pad is again raised at the carton forming station. Thereafter, the pad 34 is lowered into pressing engagement with the carton seam which, as illustrated in Fig. 4, is directly above the lining seam so that pressure of the continuous pad 34 in addition to setting the carton. seam also operates to set those portions of the lining seam which were not engaged byV the raised portions |20 during the lining pressing operation.

From the above description, it will be observed that the present carton forming mechanism enables an efficient seam to be produced for the lining of the carton and that the provision of separate pressing pads for the lining seam and the carton seam prevents the transfer to the outer carton of adhesive accumulated on the lining presser pad.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the sco-pe of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a carton formingr machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining sheet and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, a dual presse-r member cooperating with the block to press rst Thus, in operation, the corner position to press the lining seam and to presentv a different face thereof in operative position to press the carton seam while moving the first face to an inoperative position.

2. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining sheet and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, pressing means cooperating with the block to press first a seam of the liner and then a seam of the carto-n, said pressing means having two pressing surfaces, and means for operating said pressing means to present one of said surfaces in operative position to press the lining seam and to thereafter present the other surface in operative position to press the carton seam while withdrawing the first surface into an inoperative position.

3. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining sheet and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, pressing means cooperating with the block to press rst a seam of the liner and then a seam of the carton, said pressing means comprising two members and means for moving said members in succession into operative pressing position and for withdrawing therefrom one member prior to movement of the second member into operative pressing position.

4. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining blank and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, and pressing means cooperating with the block to press first a seam of the liner and then a seam of the carton, said pressing means including a pivotally mounted presser head having two pressing surfaces, and means flor rocking said pivotally mounted head to present one surface thereof in operative position to press ,the liner seam, and to thereafter present the second surface in the same relative position to press the carton seam while moving the first surface into an inoperative position 5. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining blank and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, and pressing means cooperating with the block to press first.

a seam of the liner and then a seam of the carton, said pressing means including a presser member provided with two pressing surfaces angularly arranged with respect to each other, and means for moving said presser member to dispose one of said pressing surfaces in parallel relation to the forming block to press the lining seam, and to thereafter dispose the second pressing surface in such parallel relation to press the carton seam.

`6. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining blank and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, and pressing means cooperating with the block to press first a seam of the liner and then a seam of the car- Cal ton, said pressing means having two pressing surfaces, and means for shifting the position of said surfaces with relation to the block whereby to present one surface in pressing position during the lining forming operation and to present the other surface in pressing position during the carton forming operation.

7. In a. carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a lining blank and carton forming material are successively wrapped to form a lined carton, and pressing means cooperating with the block to press first a seam of the liner and then a seam of the carton, said pressing means including a pivotally mounted presser head having two pressing surfaces, and means for rocking said pivotally mounted head topresent one surface thereof in operative position to press the liner seam, and to thereafter present the second surface in the same relative position to press the carton seam while moving the first surface into an inoperative p0- sition, and means for yieldingly retaining said presser head in the position to which it is rocked.

8. In a carton forming machine, in combination, a forming block about which a sheet of lining material is wrapped to form a lining bag, means for folding portions of said lining sheet in overlapping relation on the block to form a seam including a pair of folding plates, a pair of corner engaging members carried by said plates and yieldingly movable with relation thereto, said corner engaging members being arranged to engage the lining sheet at the corners adjacent said overlapping portions prior to engagement of the folding plates and to remain in engagement therewith until after the folding plates have been withdrawn whereby to engage and retain the liner in tight engagement with the corners of the block during the folding operation and to prevent distortion of the corners of the lining during the withdrawal of said folding plates.

9. In a carton forming machine, in combina.- tion, a forming block about which a sheet of lining material is wrapped to form a lining bag,

' meafns for folding portions Iof said lining sheet in overlapping relation on the block to form a seam including a pair of folding plates, a flat presser member arranged to cooperate with the block to press said seam, said flat presser member having a plurality of slots formed in the bottom thereof, one of said folding plates being cut out to provide folding portions coinciding with said slots and corner engaging members arranged to enga-ge the lining sheet at the corners adjacent said overlapping portions prior to engagement of the folding plates and to remain in engagement therewith until after the folding plates have been withdrawn, whereby to engage and retain the liner in tight engagement with the corners of the block during the folding operation and to prevent distortion of the corners of the lining during the withdrawal of said folding plates.

JOHN G. VERGOBBI. 

